ANNOUNCEMENT OF POSITION:
TEMPORARY - Director, Youth Education Project

APPLICATION DEADLINE:
October 31, 2007 or open until filled

TARGETED STARTING DATE:
December 10, 2007

PROJECTED PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT:
December 10, 2007 – June 20, 2008

The ACLU Foundation of Northern California is seeking a TEMPORARY full-time Director to lead its Youth Education and Activism Project, known as the Howard A. Friedman First Amendment Education Project. The goal of the ACLU-NC’s project is to engage youth of diverse backgrounds and educators in a dynamic program which aims to improve student understanding of the core principles underlying the Bill of Rights and to facilitate student activism and leadership.

The Project, now in its sixteenth year, works to make the connection between ACLU’s mission of defending the Bill of Rights and the civil liberties issues affecting the lives of youth.

The Director of the Project works closely with a core group of diverse high school students from throughout northern California to develop and implement programs that educate and inspire young people towards activism on civil rights and civil liberties issues, and in particular, as those issues affect youth. The Director also encourages and supports teacher efforts to develop exciting ways to teach students about the Bill of Rights.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Working with the ACLU of Northern California’s Youth Activist Committee, which meets at least twice a month to plan and implement special conferences and activism projects for students;
• Organizing one student-led Youth Rights Conference each year, attracting 800 high school students from throughout northern California to discuss, debate, and organize around civil liberties and social justice issues, with special emphasis on those affecting youth and students of color;
• Coordinating an annual summer field trip, which enables a diverse group of about 20-25 high school students to pursue an in-depth investigation of a specific issue of the students’ choosing for 7-10 days;
• Coordinating and facilitating an annual youth activism and leadership retreat for 25 youth ages 14-18 to develop facilitation and organizing skills and to plan the annual spring Youth Rights Conference for 800 of their peers;
• Organizing activism field trips and speakers to connect young people with the perspectives and struggles of people who have experienced violations of their civil liberties and civil rights, in order to better understand the issues and advocate for positive change;
• Collaborating with local youth arts organizations to facilitate art and activism projects including poetry and writing workshops, mural workshops, and a video project;
• Conducting anti-homophobia/safe schools training program for faculty, staff and high school students;
• Assisting students and faculty in developing civil liberties clubs on both high school and college/university campuses;
• Coordinating an internship and fellowship program, which includes college/university fellows graduates from the program, advocates, and volunteer activists;
• Developing and distributing special ACLU-NC student-specific materials, like the students’ rights brochure You Have a Right…NOT to Remain Silent;
• Developing Project materials for teachers, including a video lending library, and organizing special Teachers’ Conferences and retreats featuring knowledgeable speakers and interactive conferences with students and faculty members;
• Working along with ACLU-NC staff attorneys to provide information and advocacy support for students, parents, and teachers on questions concerning school policies and procedures, which affect student rights; and
• Facilitating and providing speakers focused on youth issues.

Special Skills and Qualifications:
We are seeking a strong and nurturing leader with the ability to continue the strategic vision of this exciting project. The candidate’s qualifications include:

• At least five years experience in public education, community organizing, and/or teaching.
• At least five years experience organizing conferences and/or events, preferably with a focus on youth leadership and empowerment
• Commitment to and experience working with racially and ethnically diverse groups of young people.
• Commitment to ensuring that the program is relevant and accessible to youth of color, young women and men alike, youth that identify as queer, youth with disabilities, and youth from low-income and/or immigrant communities.
• Excellent speaking and writing skills.
• Excellent listening and troubleshooting skills.
• Experience in social change activism and organizing.
• Experience in leadership development and training.
• Deep understanding and passionate commitment to civil rights and civil liberties and the principles of the ACLU.
• Strong commitment to working with youth to develop a youth constituency for the ACLU.
• Organizational and/or management experience, particularly with regard to working with college/university students, volunteers and/or teachers.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends. Ability to travel.
• Ability to work well under pressure and to be highly organized in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to prioritize several different tasks.
• Ability to share leadership and support a team effort with youth activists.
• Bilingual ability preferred, but not required.

Compensation:
The position is TEMPORARY full-time and reports to the Director of Organizing.
Salary depends on experience. A very generous and comprehensive benefit package is provided, including vacation, medical, dental and vision coverage for staff members, their dependents and domestic partners; and life and long-term disability insurance.

To Apply:
Submit resume and a cover letter describing your interest in the position to:

hr-friedman@aclunc.org or
TEMPORARY Youth Education Project Director Search,
ACLU of Northern California
39 Drumm Street
San Francisco, CA 94111

ABOUT THE ACLU OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA:
The ACLU of Northern California (ACLU-NC) was founded in 1934 and is an affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a nationwide, non-profit, non-partisan membership organization dedicated to the defense and expansion of civil rights and civil liberties. The ACLU-NC, the largest affiliate in the nation, has more than 55,000 members, 18 all-volunteer chapters, and a staff of 50.

The ACLU-NC is proud to be an affirmative action employer. All interested individuals, including people of color, women, persons with disabilities and persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered or intersex are particularly urged to apply.